dedicated to simplifying my consumption and accumulation of stuff (especially clothes), one step at a time, starting today 6-1-11 for one year. Ok, 2 years. Well, now we're going into Y3. Make that 4. - so who's counting anyway?

Monday, April 14, 2014

A Chicago Sewing Bloggers Meet-Up

And I was there!

Ok, I'm not in the picture, cuz I'm taking it.

And here's were we met/ went last Sunday:

The most amazing place on Earth, fabric-wise

Can you believe this place is in Chicago, in the Pilsen neighborhood, and I never ever went to it before!!!! ooooooommmmmggggggg sums it up. It's like discovering Tutankhamen's tomb, or Alibaba's cave, or ...

A little back story here. All this time I'm wondering why are there no Chicago bloggers - sewing clothes ones. Then one day I follow a lead to some recommended tights for an online indie pattern. It's the Rose Hip Tights & Stockings Pattern by Seamsters Patterns and I buy it, download it, make it, like it and check out her blog. Turns out Mari is from Chicago and also wonders where are all the Chicago sewing bloggers, but she goes a step further and actually asks the question. And people answer. Including me, even if it was a year later. I immediately got a reply that the Chicago Sewcialists were meeting at Textile Discount Outlet in a couple weeks.

Now let's see some pictures inside, yeah?

That's the check out by the entrance.

I was completely overwhelmed when we went inside. First it's crowded. With stuff and with people. Everyone apparently goes there on Sundays. They're not open on Saturdays and basically only during office hours on week days.

It's a warehouse that tunnels into room after room as well as floor after floor, 3 of them, including a basement.

Sometimes they have prices strung up like banners across the top, sometimes not. You find out how much the fabric is when you go to the front cutting table.

A room for trims

Okay, okay that's probably enough photos of fabric for you to get the idea.

oops, how'd that get in there?

That's only the front part of the first floor. I couldn't be bothered with a camera after that. In order to be able to function at all, I decided to focus and look for stretch mesh to make more tights. And I bought 3 pieces for just that. phew.

After, we all went out to eat at Flat Top Grill and showed off our wares. Plus there was a swap of patterns and fabric. Another post in the making.

16 comments:

A ROOM for trims? Gaaa! I laughed when you wrote you'd found King Tut's tomb. I'm so happy you've connected with your sewcialists - cleverest name of all. I can almost smell the smoke coming from your machines from here. Freak out!

Like I really need to add to my fabric stash. You can't get me shopping for clothes, not even in a thrift store. But it doesn't take any arm twisting to get me to visit the fabric shops for a little look-see.

Wowie Zowie! Stores like this can just overwhelm me, but they're so great when you know what you want and can just go get it. Fabulous for you, and I'm so happy you have contacts with the same interests.I miss cities!!!!!!

Pat, it was great to meet you! I'm glad you found so much awesome stuff at the Textile Outlet. Something about meeting with other people who sew makes me want to buy tons of fabric. I restrained myself this time, but when we met up in September, I bought so much fabric from Vogue! Hope to see you again soon!

My chest hurts I'm so happy/envious!! I know that feeling and I'm sooooo happy for you. It's totally bizarre, but in this giant city of Atlanta I've only found one fabric store that carries decent dress goods. Every place else is for home decor. I found an amazing place in Portland OR, and when I lived in Philly, it seemed like there were many places to get great discounted fabric.

I'm going to try to see what's happening here in the sewing community. I've just begun to connect with other thrifters, but this could be a cool community too. HAVE FUN!!!!